Man discovers 70 year old skull while working on his garden in West Dublin

Gardaí are investigating the discovery of a human skull in the back garden of a premises in the Killakee area, Firhouse, County Dublin.

The matter was reported to Gardaí yesterday evening following the discovery by a man who was carrying out work on the garden of his home.

The Office of the State Pathologist and a forensic anthropologist have been informed and are assisting Gardaí with their investigations.

Preliminary examination would indicate that the skull is believed to be that of an adult aged between 18-40 years and may have been in the ground for up to 70 years, (or since the mid 1940’s).

The scene has been preserved for technical examination. Investigations are on-going. The skull will be subject to forensic/DNA analysis.

There is no further information or Garda spokesperson available at this time.

*Note to editor: There is nothing to suggest that this investigation is linked to that of missing person Phillip Cairns.

Part of this investigation will involve a review of missing person records however at this early stage of the investigation no link to any such person has been made.